Sheet-metal supporting-arm.



B. W. SWEET. SHEET METAL SUPPORTING ARM. APPLICATION FILED MAR. 18, 1907.

Patented Nov. 30, 1909.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

SHEET-METAL SUPPORTING-ARM.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, BURTON W. SWEET, a citizen of the United States of America, and a resident of Cleveland, in the county of Cuyahoga and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Sheet-Metal Supporting-Arms, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in supporting arms for telephones, and has for its object the construction of a pivoted arm, which shall be readily formed from strap or sheet metal, while insuring the maximum rigidity and economy in cost of construction. Devices of this general type now upon the market, commonly are formed of pivoted castings, or tubular members united by pivots, but these are heavier, more unwieldy, and liable to breakage than is the device of my invention hereinafter described.

The particular features will be more fully explained in connection with the accompanying drawings, but I may state, in a preliminary way, that the device consists essentially of strap metal arms pivoted together and carried at one end by a sheet metal bracket, while at the outer end of said pivoted arms, is carried a suitable telephone supporting member, likewise formed of sheet metal. The stampings and punchings are easily and cheaply made, while the pivot-parts preferably are turned out in quantities by automatic screw machines, or are cut from metal rods, and sheet metal parts are reinforced simply by riveting them together, thus providing a strong, presentable, and yet very cheap article. Moreover, the dies necessary for stamping out and forming these parts, are few in number and by no means expensive.

The drawings, forming a portion of this specification, comprise Figure I, which is a view of the entire device in side elevation. Fig. II is a plan view of the same. Fig. III is a plan view of one of the punchings for a telephone support. Figs. IV and V are side views respectively of the extensible hook and brace for said support. Fig. VI is a detail showing one of the pivot-joints. Fig. VII is a plan view of a washer. Fig. VIII is a detail in partial perspective and partially broken away, showing the bracket-mounting. Fig. IX is a similar detail showing the pivotmounting for the telephone support. Fig.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed March 18, 1907.

Patented Nov. 30, 1909. Serial No. 362,874. I

is another detail in longitudinal section illustrating the adjustable hook of the support, and Fig. XI is a detail in side eleva 'tion, showing the combined washer and cordretaining loop.

Throughout each of the several figures of the drawings, I have indicated similar parts by the same character of reference.

A simple two-section supporting arm is shown in Figs. I and II, which embodies the details of my invention, although three or more sections may readily be used, and provision may be made for supporting a plurality of telephone instruments upon a smgle bracket. I shall explain, however, the simple form herein illustrated. The bracket 6 is formed from an integral sheet metal stamping having a punched attaching shield 12, the riveted web Z2 and an outer tubular socket 12 all as best shown in Fig. VIII. A solid pivot post a is mounted in the tubular socket and carries the inner pivoted arm 0 from its upper end; The sides of said pivot post are sheared off as at a, above and below, so as to receive the washer a (see Figs. VI and VII), beyond which are provided screws (i entering tapped openings formed in either end of said pivot post. Similar pivotal mountings are provided at each of the joints of the supporting arm. Two separate sections 0 d are shown for said arm; each being formed from strap metal doubled at one end to form a terminal tubular socket, as e, riveted together throughout the body portion, and shaped over a mandrel near its other end to provide a second tubular socket, as 0 Obviously two symmetrical strap-metal members may be used, but I prefer the one herein shown. For manufacturing said arms, I have most successfully employed cold-rolled key-stock of suitable width and gage, which may be readily worked in this manner, and affords the necessary rigidity for a device of this class. A double pivot mounting e unites the parts, while the terminal pivot 7 serves to carry the telephone support. Each of these pivot mountings has an intermediate shoulder, as e f, which may either be integral with the pivot post, or may be'formed by an interposed washer.

In the precise structure shown, this telephone support is one adapted to receive the base of an ordinary desk-set, and is provided with three co-acting hooked members, adapted to engage and hold said base. Two of said members, together with the pivot-socket, are formed from the sheet metal blank shown in Fig. III, wherein the hooks g g are provided upon the divergent arms 9, and are rigidly secured together by the transverse brace g (see also Fig. V). The intermediate pivot socket g and the integral tapped screw socket 9*, are formed from the interior portions of the blank. An adjustable hook 72,, mounted at the end above a tubular portion, is attached to the top of the telephone support bymeans of a long adjusting screw 71, which is adapted to permit the adjustment of said hook it, and secure or release the base of the desk set. The intermediate washer j has a downwardly extending lug j and a loop j wherein the conducting cord for the telephone is adapted to be held, (see Fig. XI).

From the foregoing it will be appreciated that the pivoted supporting arm not only is strong and serviceable, but that it is cheaply constructed, and when suitably plated, enameled, or otherwise provided with a durable and ornamental finish, the article is extremely salable.

The removable telephone support permits the instrument to be taken up for more convenient use, while normally holding it in convenient position ready to be turned upon its pivotal mountings to any extent permitted by the length of the supporting arm. The cord loop prevents the conducting cord from being caught in the bracket when the arms thereof are swung back and forth. These arms are extremely rigid throughout their riveted body portions, while affording integral socket members for the pivot posts, and the telephone support is so shaped and braced, as to present the rigidity of a cast metal article, without its undesirable weight. By employing sheared pivot posts and special washers, well shown in Figs. VI and VIII, the pivotal mountings of my improved arm are not loosened by continued use.

Having now described the device of my invention, I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, the following 1. In a telephone support, the combination with an integral sheet metal member, bent to afford two engaging ears, a pivotal socket and a tapped abutment, of an adjustable hook and an adjusting screw associated therewith engaging the tapped abutment, substantially as set forth.

2. I11 a telephone support, the combination with an integral sheet metal member, comprising two diverging arms terminating in retaining hooks, an intermediate socket, member, and a reinforced tapped abutment, of a brace rigidly uniting said arms, an adjustable hook, and an adjusting screw, engaging said hook and entering the tapped abutment, substantially as set forth.

3. I11 a device of the class described, the combination with pivoted arm-sections, of an integral Washer and cord support positioned adjacent to the pivotal mounting; said washer affording retaining means for the pivoted sections and being provided with an opening for the conducting cord, whereby the latter is retained in place with respect to the arm, substantially as set forth.

l. In a telephone supporting arm, the combination with an attaching bracket, of a plurality of pivoted sections, forming an extensible arm; each of said sections comprising a strap metal member doubled upon itself to afford terminal sockets and a reinforced body portion riveted together, and a sheet metal telephone support carried at the outer end of said arm, comprising divergent hooked arms, an integral socket, and an op posing adjustable hook, substantially as set; forth.

5. In a telephone supporting arm, the combination with a plurality of pivoted arm sections; each formed of strap metal doubled upon itself to afford terminal socket members, and a reinforced body portion, pivot: posts uniting and attaching said sections, a sheet metal bracket pivotally carrying the inner end of said arm, and a sheet metal telephone support, comprising divergent hooked arms an integral socket, an opposing hook, and an adjusting screw therefor, substantially as set forth.

Signed at Cleveland, this 8th day of March, A. D. 1907, in the presence of the undersigned witnesses.

BURTON W. SWEET.

lVitnesses V. G. ARMSTRONG, ALBERT LYNN LAWRENCE. 

